Thai authorities have launched a massive search operation in a flooded mangrove swamp outside Bangkok, scouring the muddy terrain for plane fragments and the remains of nine people believed to have been killed in a plane crash. The turboprop Cessna Caravan C208B operated by the Thai Flying Service Company had taken off from Suvarnabhumi Airport, Thailand’s main international airport, and was heading to Trat, a coastal province with beach resorts, when it lost contact with air traffic control and crashed in the mangrove swamp.
The search team, comprising around 300 officers and rescue volunteers, will send any remains they recover for forensic identification, said Chachoengsao province governor Chonlatee Yangtrong. So far, only small body parts have been recovered, and authorities are working to collect as many pieces of the plane as possible to determine the cause of the accident. The wreckage of the plane lies in the middle of a wooded area, partially submerged in water, making the search operation a challenging task.
The flight was carrying nine people, including five Chinese tourists and four Thais – a pilot, co-pilot, and two airline personnel. The tourists, identified as Zhang Jingjing, 12, Zhang Jing, 42, Tang Yu, 42, Yin Jinfeng, 45, and Yin Hang, 13, were not from Hong Kong, according to Hong Kong’s Immigration Department. In fact, their passports, which were issued in Shanghai, were posted on social media and Thai media websites.
Thai Authorities Launch Massive Search After Plane Crash in Mangrove Swamp (Image via Getty)
Thai authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash, but it is not yet clear what led to the accident. The weather at the time of the flight was clear, and the plane was operated by a reputable company, further complicating the investigation. Aircraft Accident Investigation Committee of Thailand official Pongthep Sirisawat said that, given the lack of a black box and the likely absence of survivors, it is crucial to collect as many pieces of the plane as possible to determine the cause of the accident.
The search operation has been ongoing since the crash, with rescuers wading through muddy waters to recover fragments of the plane and search for remains. Despite the challenges, authorities are working tirelessly to identify the victims and determine the cause of the tragic accident. As the investigation continues, the families of the victims can only wait anxiously for answers and closure.
The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing, and it is unclear what led to the accident. The authorities are relying on the collection of plane fragments and remains to determine the cause of the accident, as there is no black box to aid in the investigation. The lack of a black box and the likely absence of survivors make it a challenging task to uncover the truth behind the crash. Despite the challenges, the authorities are working diligently to identify the victims and determine the cause of the accident, providing some sense of closure for the families of the victims.
